USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania : from its first beginnings to the present time, including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume VI > Part 24
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William D. White was born in 1849, a native of Ashley, Luzerne County, and son of John and Melinda (Blackman) White. Both the families of White and Blackman date from early days in the Wyoming Val- ley; the Blackmans came to this country from England, founders of the American branch locating first in the State of Con- necticut, whence they removed to Luzerne County with the Susquehanna Company, to the valley. Here members of the family took part in the Massacre of Wyoming, July 3, 1778, and it is recorded that they fought courageously in the bloody engagement. It was about a century later that William D. White founded the W. D. White & Company drug house, being one of the few establish- ments of its sort then in Wilkes-Barre. He was a constant participant in matters of public concern, a Republican, ardent in sup- port of the party, and a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A temperate man, his friends were numerous and sincere; when he died, in 1921, at the age of seventy- two years, he left behind a career both long and useful. William D. White and his wife, Sarah Harper (Jones) White, were the par- ents of children: 1. Maude I., now deceased; married Dr. Benton Dales, of Akron, Ohio. 2. Edward Russell, of whom below. 3. Dr. W. D. White, Jr., of New York City.
Edward R. White received his academic education in the public schools of his native city, and graduated from high school with the class of 1891, at the age of sixteen years. At once he went to work for his father in the drug store, applied himself industriously and intelligently to pharmacy, and passed the State examinations permitting him to fill prescriptions as registered pharmacist. For a number of years, then, he continued with his father, becoming quite well established in the life of Wilkes-Barre and ever gaining the confidence of doctors of medicine and of customers for the care with which he ex- ecuted commissions, until 1903, when the call of adventure and of service to his country led him to enlist in the 8th United States Cavalry; and the next three years he served in various parts of this country and in the Philippines. Mr. White returned to Wilkes- Barre in 1906, and resumed association in the drug store, where he has, through the years succeeding, been continuously occupied. Like his father, he is loyal to the principles of the Republican party, and is possessed of a considerable voice in local questions of a political character, which he exerts with- out fanfare, quietly, to the good of the com- munity at large. In the fraternal orders he is heartily engaged, being a member of Land- mark Lodge, No. 442, of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Caldwell Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree at Bloomsburg; and
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Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Wilkes-Barre; together with Lodge No. 109 of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He be- longs to the Shrine Country Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Franklin Club, the Wilkes- Barre-Wyoming Valley Chamber of Com- merce, and the Wyoming Valley Motor Club. During the World War Mr. White served on many boards and committees prosecuting the conflict from within this country, tirelessly, wherever called, and was instrumental in securing subscriptions to the several Liberty Loan campaigns. In matters of charity he deals with large heart, and is generous in contributions to all worthy appeals, without regard for race or creed or other narrowing consideration. Of him it is said by those who know him well, that he is a patriot loyal to country, State and community, a valuable citizen, and generous in all deal- ings.
Edward R. White was united in marriage (first), June 10, 1908, with Jessie Muir Nicol, daughter of John and Martha (Muir) Nicol of Kingston. She died in September, 1913, and Mr. White married (second), in June, 1917, Jessie M. Hooper, of Wilkes-Barre, daughter of Thomas A. Hooper, deceased. Mrs. White died June 28, 1929. Mr. White resides at No. 564 Rutter Avenue, Kingston.
JAMES B. DE MUN-Holding a high place in the business and fraternal circles of Wilkes-Barre, James B. De Mun is one of the city's most prominent citizens who has risen to his present position as head of the De Mun Sign Company by his continuous determination to succeeded and unlimited energy. This organization, of which Mr. De Mun is the proprietor, is located at Nos. 447-449 West Market Street, Kingston, and is one of the largest sign companies in Northeastern Pennsylvania, doing an exten- sive and active business in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and the District of Colum- bia. Mr. De Mun takes a deep interest in all public affairs in this city and is ever an earnest and enthusiastic worker in all pro- jects for community progress.
Mr. De Mun was born in Wilkes-Barre, February 2, 1881, son of William H. De Mun, who died at the age of seventy, and Eliz- abeth (Bryden) De Mun, who is still living at the age of seventy-six years. William H. De Mun was prominent in mercantile activities in Wilkes-Barre, having been the founder of the New York Tea Company which is now the Beers Grocery, on West Market Street. Mr. and Mrs. De Mun had two sons: Harry, proprietor of the De Mun Printing Company at Wilkes-Barre, and James B., of whom further.
James B. De Mun received his education in the local public schools, and at the age of sixteen years, became a clerk and was thus occupied in various mercantile houses in Wilkes-Barre for five years. At the age of twenty-one, he engaged independently in the sign business in which industry he has ever since continued successfully. Be- ginning in a modest way, the excellence of his work soon attracted attention, and he soon established a reputation for superior workmanship and highest quality products and the concern grew steadily and pros- perously, until today, it is a leading factor of this industry in this section of the State. All types and varieties of signs are manu- factured, from the smallest window sign to the most elaborate flashing electric display and from small enameled signs to those which are most artistically illuminated or
painted, and the demand for their work has extended until it now includes all the Impor- tant commercial States of the East. In politics, Mr. De Mun is a staunch supporter of the Republican party and is actively con- cerned in all political issues which tend to the advancement of the best interests of the people. In fraternal connections, he is a member of Landmark Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Keystone Consistory of Scranton, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, in which he has attained his thirty- second degree; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and a member of the Shrine Country Club. He is also prominently identified with the Wilkes- Barre Rotary Club, and Concordia Singing Society. In his religious affiliations, he is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
James B. De Mun married in 1907, Louise Jones, of Kingston, daughter of John and Ann (Morgan) Jones.
HARRY W. RUGGLES-As a wholesale and retail lumber dealer handling all kinds of building materials, Harry W. Ruggles has built up for himself a definite place in the business structure of Luzerne, where he heads the Ruggles Lumber Company. Mr. Ruggles was born March 14, 1879, in Plym- outh, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Brown) Ruggles. The father was one of the children of Josiah Ruggles, who also was a native of Luzerne County, where he was one of the pioneers.
On October 14, 1903, Harry W. Ruggles was married to Emma Gould Rickard, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Dr. Albert and Albertina (Smith) Rickard, Mrs. Rickard being a daughter of the late John B. Smith, of Forty Fort, Luzerne County, who was at one time a member of the United States Congress from the Luzerne County District. Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles are the par- ents of five children: 1. Albertina Eliza- abeth, who died at the age of twelve years. 2. Mary Virginia, graduate student at the Catherine Gibbs School, of Boston, Massachu- setts. 3. Harry Wyndham, Jr., a student at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 4. John Gould, who is living at home. 5. Esther, who died at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles reside at No. 76 James Street, Kingston.
JOSEPH S. COONS- Senior member of the firm of Joseph S. Coons and Company, founded in 1839 when Wilkes-Barre was only a small village, Joseph S. Coons conducted one of the oldest and most reliable mercantile houses in the Northeastern Pennsylvania. The store was founded by Joseph Coons, father of Joseph S. Coons, who was born in Bavaria. In 1839 when he started in business in Wilkes-Barre there were no railroads, and the only methods of conveyance were over the unpaved roads and on the old canal, at a speed averaging four miles an hour. Jos- eph Coons conducted the business for fifty- one years, until 1890, when it was taken over by Joseph S. Coons, who continued until his retirement in 1929, after thirty-nine years in active charge. Between the years 1890 and 1926 he had associated with him in its man- agement, the firm of Simon Long Sons. It was on April 1, 1926, that the Long inter- ests were bought back into the family.
Joseph Coons, the father of Joseph S. Coons, had built the first brick store building in the then village on South Main Street, at the address of the Poland Hotel. This was built in 1847. It is still in good condition, one of
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the few of the old buildings now standing. Joseph Coons was known as a patriotic citi- zen, and in 1843 he organized what was called the Wyoming Yeager Company a well drilled military organization, with himself as cap- tain. At the outbreak of the Civil War he took this company to Harrisburg and offered it, with his services, to the United States, his adopted country. But to his bitter dis- appointment his leadership was impossible because of faulty eyesight; he was rejected and Colonel John Reichard chosen to head the men that he had drilled. He married Hannah Koch of Wilkes-Barre in 1840, she having come from Bavaria in 1836. They were the parents of nine children: Caroline, Panline, David J., Samnel J., Ida, Emma, and Rose, all deceased; Millard F., of Wilkes- Barre; and Joseph S., of whom further.
Joseph S. Coons was born in Wilkes-Barre, October 21, 1859. He received his education
in Philadelphia. In 1877 he became asso- ciated with his father in the mercantile business in Wilkes-Barre, and has given his best efforts to the organization thence on- ward. He has been occupied, but has not neglected the social side of life, and is affil- iated with many societies, including mem- bership in Lodge No. 61, of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Wilkes-Barre (of which his father had been made a member in 1845, and was active for over fifty years); the Keystone Consistory, at Scranton, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree; Irem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is a Demo- crat.
Joseph S. Coons married, June 12, 1886, Hannah Long, daughter of the late Simon Long of Wilkes-Barre, and Yetta (Coons) Long. To this union four children were born, two of whom are deceased; those now (1929) living are: 1. Leon J., who was asso- ciated with the firm of Joseph S. Coons and Company until retirement; he married Sophia Meister, of Wilkes-Barre, and they have two children, Joseph, 2d, and Barbara. 2. Carl L., also a member of the firm. He married Dorothy Myers of New York, and they have one daughter, Elinor. Carl L. Coons inherited the patriotic spirit displayed by his grand- father, and on May 22, 1917, volunteered, serving with the Medical Ambulance Corps. He was attached to the 11th Division of La Belle France of Nancy, and did his duty at ninety-seven camps in France and Belgium, from October 29, 1917 until November 11, 1918, the close of the World War. In July, 1918, he was awarded the Divisional Citation Croix de Guerre for bravery on the field of battle. He was discharged from duty April 26, 1919, having served his country con- timmonsly for over twenty-three months.
HAHRY ROBERT HIRSHOWITZ-Presi- dent of the Hub Clothing Company, Inc., operating retail establishments dealing in men's clothing and furnishings in Wilkes- Barre, Hazleton, Nanticoke and Pittston, En- zerne County, and with this chain of stores totalling annnally one of the largest retail clothing businesses in Northeastern Pennsyl- vania, Harry Robert Hirshowitz is accounted eminent among the progressive citizens of Wilkes-Barre and is well and favorably known in the textile-apparel trades of the Eastern States. Mr. Hirshowitz is a native of Wilkes-Barre, born here on December 21, 1881, a son of Moses and Getta (Swick) Hirshowitz, both deceased.
Moses Hirshowitz and his wife Getta were
the parents of nine children: 1. Anna, wife of Harry Finkelstein, of Wilkes-Barre. 2. Harry Robert, of whom follows. 3. Joseph Louis, vice-president of the Hub Clothing Company. 4. Minnie, wife of Wolfe Harris, of Wilkes-Barre. 5. Ida, wife of Isaac Frank, of Wilkes-Barre. 6. Samuel B., treasurer of the Hub Clothing Company. 7. William, sec- retary of the Hub company. 8. Frank, junior member of the Hub company. 9. Hilda, wife of Isadore Rifkin, general manager of the Hub company branch at Hazleton.
Harry Robert Hirshowitz received his edn- cation in the public schools of his native city, and, while Moses and Getta Hirshowitz provided for him and his brothers and sisters a comfortable and pleasant home, there was a lack of funds for small pleasures, and, indeed, quite often for clothing. Hence, Harry was forced to contrive partially for himself while very young in years, and his first commercial enterprise was the vending of newspapers on the streets of Wilkes- Barre. This experience, hard as it was, try- ing and illy paid, gave to him a sound funda- mental comprehension of the theories and practices of trade at first hand, and was with- ont a doubt greatly useful to him in later years when he faced larger problems in one of our country's principal industries. It is interesting to note, incidentally, how many prosperous and influential men in trade and professional life began their careers as "newsies." And such an one is Mr. Hir- showitz. After a few years with the news- papers and while still a lad, he bethonght himself of ways in which to engage in more extensive business. First he considered the establishment of a boot black stand (for he had had experience in shoe shining also, on the streets of his native city) and of a news- Faper booth; but, regrettably, these projects would require a certain ontlay of capital which he did not possess. He was resolved in one thing, moreover, and that was, that he would give his career to trade. Accord- ingly when he was offered a place as errand hoy in the firm of Simon Long's Sons, he accepted it eagerly, and applied himself industrionsly to this humblest of mercantile connections. He realized at this time that if he were to progress far in business he must enlarge upon his academic education, which, because of his youthful embarkation into trade, had been somewhat curtailed; so he enrolled in suitable courses in a night school, and there undertook to learn bookkeeping. It followed then, with his industry, intel- ligence and training, that he became book- keeper for Simon Long's Sons retail house, and as such continued until he reached the age of twenty-six years. In 1909 he had completed plans for organization of his first clothing store, and put them into operation, incorporating under the laws of the State the Hub Clothing Company. The rest of the story is fully told with indication of the four links in the chain that he now controls; there were crises to be met, and Mr. Hir- showitz met them successfully; there were periods of commercial depression, and Mr. Hirshowitz survived them; and of recent years there has been the great reduction in prices of clothing at retail, with the burden mainly on the retailers and not on the mills and manufacturers, until the retailing of apparel has become more competitive than since early post-war time, bringing about increased bankruptcies; and Mr. Hirshowitz has triumphed over all. The Hub Clothing Company has always enjoyed the best of credit ratings. Mr. Hirshowitz is a director
Anishelman
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of the Wilkes-Barre Deposit and Savings Bank; director and secretary of the Wyo- ming Valley Airport, and financially inter- ested in several other corporations.
Not only in commercial circles of the north- eastern part of the State is Mr. Hirshowitz prominent, but also, and more particularly in Wilkes-Barre, in fraternal and political circles does he take an active part. A Re- publican, he is devoted to the principles of government for which the party stands, and exercises quietly a considerable influence in matters politic. He is a member of Lodge No. 61, of the Free and Accepted Masons; Shekinah Chapter, No. 182, of the Royal Arch Masons; Keystone Consistory at Scranton, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the thirty-second degree; Irem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; the Shrine Country Club, Craftsmen's Club, Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club, Fox Hill Country Club; Wyoming Lodge, No. 927, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Loyal Order of Moose, B'nai B'rith of America, the Wyoming Valley Motor Club, Merchants' Club, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and the Concordia Musical Society. He is president of the Young Men's Hebrew Asso- ciation and chairman of the association's finance committee; member of the housing corporation that was organized during the World War; third vice-president of the Com- munity Welfare Federation of Wilkes-Barre ard member of the Federation's budget com- mittee; trustee of Erie Orphanage for Chil- dren, Erie, Pennsylvania, and of the Denver National Hospital, Denver, Colorado. Upon several occasions he has served as chairman of State and National Jewish welfare cam- paigns, and for a number of years has been a participant largely in community enter- prises for civic development.
Harry Robert Hirshowitz married, on July 6, 1919, Florence Meyers, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hirshowitz is a daugh- ter of the late Daniel Meyers, Jr., and Hannah (Goodman) Meyers, of Philadelphia.
FREDERICK MASON ESHELMAN-Thrown upon his own resources before he entered high school, Frederick M. Eshelman took his future into his own hands and forged ahead in the business life of Pennsylvania until now (1929) he occupies the office of auditor of operations for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, of which county he is a native.
Frederick M. Eshelman was born at West Pittston in April, 1876, son of John and Almira (Spear) Eshelman, deceased. John Eshelman was born in Pennsylvania and spent his life in that State, and during the Civil War was quartermaster sergeant in Schooley's Battery of Heavy Artillery in the 2d Pennsylvania Regiment. He took part in the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Wilderness Campaign, and the siege of Petersburg, Virginia. He was a Republican and a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and at his death, August 12, 1885, left a large family of young children. Almira Spear, his mother, was a daughter, of Frederick and Anna (Butler) Spear. She was a life long member of the Episcopal Church, and died June 24, 1899. John and Almira Eshelman were the parents of six: William H., of West Pittston; Louis F., of West Pittston; Archibald D., of Dun- more, Pennsylvania; Frederick Mason, of whom further; John L., of Tacoma, Washing- ton; and Margaret L., wife of Oscar C. Arm- strong, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Frederick Mason Eshelman was educated in the public schools, and at the age of six-
teen became an office boy in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, at their Exeter Colliery, and was later transferred to the Wilkes-Barre office as a clerk. Achiev- ing proficiency in this he was promoted to chief clerk in the department of account- ing, and in 1914 became anditor, which posi- tion he has held since then. In political affiliation a Republican, Mr. Eshelman is a member of the West Pittston Trinity Epis- copal Church and has served as vestryman since 1912. He is a member of Valley Lodge, No. 499, of the Free and Accepted Masons, of Pittston; a member of Chapter No. 242, Royal Arch Masons; Wyoming Valley Com- mandery, No. 57, Knights Templar; the St. Stephen's Club of Wilkes-Barre, a member and one of the board of directors of the Pitts- ton Young Men's Christian Association, and of the Pittston Library Association.
Frederick M. Eshelman married, on Sep- tember 21, 1910, Edith Elsie Edwards, of West Pittston, daughter of Thomas H. and Augusta (Dohrmann) Edwards, of West Pitts- ton. Mrs. Eshelman comes of an old and prominent Pennsylvania family, and is a graduate of the West Pittston High School and of Wilson College at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in the class of 1905. For five years she was a teacher, a member of the faculty of the West Pittston High School. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, West Pittston, the Woman's Club, of West Pittston, Wilson College Club, of Northeast- ern Pennsylvania, and the College Women's Club of Wilkes-Barre.
GLENMORE NORMAN SNYDER -From teaching in the schools of Northeastern Penn- sylvania Glenmore Norman Snyder, after a time, confined his pedagogic work to music, an easy stage into the establishment of a music business, which he now conducts with great success in Wilkes-Barre. He is rep- resentative of one of the oldest families of this section of the State, as well as a public- spirited citizen and a merchant of probity and conspicuous devotion to the best prin- ciples of trade.
He was born in St. John's, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1877, a son of Frank and Sarah Amanda (Miltenberger) Snyder. Frank Snyder was a native of Northampton County and a member of one of the pioneer families there. He and his wife were the parents of six children: 1. Howard, now a justice of the peace at Monn- tain top, Luzerne County. 2. Clifford, a salesman, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. 3. Ida, wife of Peter Wagner, of Philadelphia. 4. Preston, a mine foreman at Nanticoke. 5. Glenmore Norman, of whom further. 6. Irvin C., a certified public accountant, living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Frank Snyder was organist for fifty years at the Union Church, at St. John's, Luzerne County. He held sev- eral public offices and was a highly respected citizen. He died at the age of eighty-four years.
Glenmore Norman Snyder was educated in the public schools of Butler Township, Lu- zerne County, and at the State Normal School at Bloomsburg. He then took up teaching and followed it for five years in Butler Town- ship, when he took up music specifically and taught it for three years. He then became manager for the Ludwig Piano Company of Wilkes-Barre, a post which he administered with success for fourteen years, when he was urged to go to Hagerstown, Maryland, to accept the position of retail manager for the M. P. Moller Organ Company there. He retained this position for four years, when
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he returned to Wilkes-Barre and established the Snyder Music Company, with headquar- ters at No. 18 East Market Street. He still conducts this business, founded nine years ago. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Dutch Reformed Church in religion. He is a member of Kingston Lodge, No. 395, Order of Free and Accepted Masons; of Keystone Consistory, of Scranton, Scottish Rite Masons; member of Irem Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre, and belongs to the Irem Temple Shrine Club, the Concordia Club, and to the Craftsmen's Club of Wilkes-Barre. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Young Men's Christian Association of Wilkes-Barre, and is president of the Hoyt School Parent- Teachers' Association, and belongs to the Rotary Club.
Mr. Snyder married, in June, 1904, Dena E. Myers, of St. John's, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Louis and Mar- garet (Grosch) Myers, of Butler Township. There are three children: Anona D., a teacher in the Wilkes-Barre public schools; Norman Carl, student at Lafayette College; Mildred, attending Coughlin High School.
WILLIAM JOHN PAULING-For a quar- ter of a century William J. Pauling has been the owner and manager of a successful retail drug business in Wilkes-Barre. He is a graduate of the Buffalo College of Pharmacy, and is located at No. 74 Public Square, where he operates under the name of William J. Pauling and Company. His is one of the oldest pharmaceutical establishments in the city, and he is well known as an able and reliable business man. He is one of the many successful business men of this coun- try, who have come to the United States with- out money or friends, and by their own abil- ity and energy have achieved success.
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